Schools Without Heavy Weighted Dance Auditions?

College Majors Musical Theater Major
1

Hey everyone! This is my first time posting here, and I’m super excited to start auditioning for schools :slight_smile: I’d like to think that I’m a pretty good singer and actor, so I don’t think I have many problems there. However, I’m honestly very concerned about dance auditions, even at less competitive schools. I don’t have hardly any experience in dance, and I’m honestly not a great dancer to begin with. I have a really tough time picking up new combinations. Anyways, what are some really solid musical theatre programs that have dance auditions but don’t put much value on them? The current schools that I have on my list are:

University of Michigan
CMU (thankfully no dance there)
Elon University
Texas State University
Southern Methodist University
Texas Christian University
Tulane University
Belmont University

I’m also applying to some other colleges that don’t have auditions so that I have some safety, and I’ll also add a few more to the list. Of these schools, how much do they value the dance audition? Also, are there any other programs you would recommend that are really strong but are pretty light on the dance audition? I’ve been taking ballet for the first time lately, so I’m trying to improve. I don’t think I can do much improving in just these last few months, though. Anyways, thank you so much for all your help! :slight_smile:

2

If thy have a dance audition, chances are they weigh it. But schools that do not have a formal dance call are OCU, NYU (movement only) and CMU. And Otterbein, SMU, TCU and many other at Unifieds do not have a formal dance call.

3

Marymount Manhattan has a dance call, but it’s only for placement purposes. Their MT program has six levels of dance classes, so you don’t have to be a great dancer to get in.

4

James Madison University has a dance call, but the call is leveled. It is an opportunity for stronger dancers to share that, and for those with less dance experience to share their potential. There are multiple levels of dance classes at James Madison, and incoming students are placed in the class level that are appropriate as a result of the dance call at the audition.

5

Here is what Tulane had on website:
Any Tulane student can take visual or performing arts classes, audition for plays or ensembles, or take private lessons with an instructor without being a major or minor in that specific art. With this in mind, we welcome the chance to see your past creative work as a way of strengthening your application to the university. No audition or portfolio is required for admission to the university, but the inclusion of a portfolio can only help your application, never hurt it.

6

Just to correct something from post # 1, OCU does have a dance portion of its audition required for both in-person or recorded auditions. Be aware they are assessing potential, not necessarily technique. Here are details from their website:

"Dance Evaluation

All students auditioning for Music Theater must also participate in a dance evaluation. This evaluation will be used to assess your ability to move and potential for continued improvement.

Applicants will fulfill their OCU dance evaluation by performing the musical theater combo taught at the audition. Students will be given a warm up and ample time to learn the combination, with options to increase the difficulty as needed. The audition combination will be performed in small groups.

Recorded audition applications will need to learn our combination as provided online. The link will be sent to students with their audition confirmation.

*Please note that previous dance experience is not required for acceptance into the MT tract. Students with previous dance experience will be given the opportunity to make the provided combination more difficult.

Suitable dress for women includes jazz pants, tights, a leotard, dance skirts, or other form fitting clothing. Men may wear tights, jazz pants, shorts, t-shirts, or form fitting sweatpants. All students should bring jazz shoes and/or character shoes."

Once at OCU all dance classes are leveled so you would be placed in a class appropriate to your skills so no need to worry about that.

Of the schools you mentioned, Elon probably had the most difficult dance call of those with which I’m familiar.

In all dance calls, if you are not a dancer, the important thing is to keep your composure if you get lost in the combination. Keep an appropriate facial expression and do your best to jump back in asap. Even the best dancers sometimes have trouble learning a combo. It is how you handle yourself in those situations that will make the biggest impression on the auditors. Don’t look distressed, angry and definitely don’t quit! Keep going, jump back in there with a smile on your face and blow them away with personality if nothing else.

7

@vvnstar thanks for the correction. I am going by old information

8

Some schools have dance auditions on campus but not at the Unifieds. Last year UArts and Manhattan School of Music were that way.

9

@Notmath1 @actorparent @KatMT @ClarinetDad16 @vvnstar @1998parent15 thank you everyone for your helpful replies! It’s definitely helpful to know that some of the Unifieds schools don’t have dance calls at Unifieds, and that in a lot of cases it’s not the end of the world if you’re not a perfect dancer. I’ll make sure to do my best no matter what and never get exasperated with the routine, and I’ll definitely never give up! Again, thank you all!

10

Wright State has a dance call, but students are accepted who have little or no previous dance training. Dance classes are leveled.

11

I’ll also correct post #1. NYU has a dance call for musical theatre. It is not “movement only” as stated above.

"(Freshpeople in New York, Chicago, Los Angeles and Miami; Transfers in New York only)

In small groups, candidates will be taught one combination that includes elements of ballet and some sort of contemporary dance (modern, jazz, Afro-centric, etc.). The purpose of the dance call is to assess your relationship to movement and your responsiveness to choreography."

There are people accepted each year to every program talked about in this forum (even the “danciest”) with little to no dance training and that includes students that don’t move particularly well either. Don’t let it discourage you. Work with you have got. If you can’t dance it, use your acting skills and sell it!

12

@halflokum this makes me feel better about my situation! Thank you for the helpful advice :slight_smile:

13

The freshman class at Michigan has some students who have had very little dance training. They are looking for an entire package, including the class itself. They are building a class. Every kid in that program has something unique to offer. Major in being you. And if the you fits, you’re in! :slight_smile:

14

Muhlenberg is a B.A. Theatre program that has a flexible sort of “create your own MT major” when is comes to combining Theatre, Dance, and Music. It’s a safety if you can get in academically (it’s pretty academically selective), but a well-regarded program. No audition is needed, but there are auditions for scholarships. Those auditions only include singing and acting, and you get placed in dance levels once you get there!